by Ian Callen
Last Tuesday as the Team Golf tournament moved into the final day of competition, Nicholson’s Captain Laurie Tormey was found on the practice putting green before his hit off time and I was able to ask him what he was expecting from the day’s play.
“Riddell’s David Hutchins is in form, Max McIntosh and Doug Smith will score well to put pressure on us today,” Tormey said.
“Rael’s Kennith Emslie is obviously in fine form; he will bolster his side’s score but for my team, Geoff Hopkins will place himself in our top six and this will be enough to give us the points,” he said
The theory here; is that Hopkins will score better than the lowest, currently in the best six and his score will bolster Nicholson’s hold on the round.
As it turned out, Captain Tormey was spot on; McIntosh, Smith and Emslie did, scored well and proved how valuable their contributions have been for respective teams over the season.
Supporters closely following the tournament unanimously agree that they will be in the ‘Medal’ hunt when the counting gets underway at the Terminus Hotel tomorrow night. (We’ll cover this night in the next column.
For participants, supporters and organisers of Team Golf; Richard ‘Dickie’ Taylor presenting the ‘Tormey-Taylor’ to his shields other name sake, Laurie Tormey; Captain of ‘Team Nicholson’ as the first ever tournament victor, will be a very emotional moment.
Both men have made significant contributions to the Healesville community and sport in particular.
Nicholson finished three games clear of their nearest rival, suggesting the talent difference between teams was far too great.
Looking closely at results over the season; observers will say most rounds were only ever separated by a few points.
The difference being; the Nicholson players turned up to play when others didn’t.
As for next season; Team Golf have confirmed a meeting had been held last Thursday to raise a number of initiatives and issues that needed consideration and to be dealt with in November.
Next week we present the winner of the ‘Tormey Taylor’ medalist for 2023.
Final Scores Round 8
Nicholson:
D. Pilcher 39, C. Handasyde 37, Garth Willey 37, D. Chipperfield 34, Geoff Hopkins 34 A. Davidson 33 (214)
Riddell:
Billly Gordon 39, David Hutchins 37, Max McIntosh 35, Roger Jones 32, Doug Smith 32, Brian Kidston 3 (206)
Rael:
Kennith Emslie 36, R. Johnston 35, Ian McMinn 31, M. Jackson 29 , Gerry de Bont 29, Sydney Anderson 28 (188)
Tournament Golf Table
(After Round 8)
Team P W D Points
Nicholson 8 5 – 30
Riddell 8 2 – 12
Rael 8 1 – 6
Alba Paloma Stableford
Round 1; Rael (35) Riddell (34) Nicholson (32)
Round 2; Rael (37) Riddell (37) Nicholson (36)
Round 3; Riddell (37) Rael (35 Nicholson (33)
Round 4; Rael (44) Riddell (41) Nicholson (39)
Round 5; Nicholson (37) Rael (36) Riddell (28) Round 6; Nicholson (37) Rael (36 Riddell (35) Round 7; Nicholson (36) Rael (34) Riddell (34)
Round 8; Nicholson (35) Riddell (33) Rael (31)
